Former Ravens safety already regrets signing with Bengals in offseason

Geno Stone’s story has been one of perseverance and success, highlighted by his incredible rise in the NFL as a former seventh-round pick. Drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 2020 out of Iowa, Stone developed into a key piece of Baltimore’s defense. He recorded seven interceptions last season - second-best in the league. His knack for takeaways and versatility as a safety helped the Ravens boast one of the NFL's top defenses.

But in March 2024, Stone made a decision that shocked Ravens fans. He signed a two-year, $15 million deal with the rival Cincinnati Bengals. For Stone, it wasn’t just about money. "At the end of the day, Baltimore is always home," Stone said after the move. "But business is business ... I just wanna be somewhere where I’m appreciated and who wants me to be a starter."

Baltimore’s tight salary cap left little room to retain Stone, even after his breakout year. Baltimore, already anchored at safety with Kyle Hamilton and Marcus Williams, opted not to overextend themselves for a third option. In search of a team where he could cement himself as a starter, Stone found Cincinnati willing to take that bet.

It sure seems like Geno Stone already regrets signing with the Cincinnati Bengals

Stone’s move to the Bengals didn’t sit well with Ravens fans, who saw one of their own donning orange and black. And now, less than a year into his stint with Cincinnati, Stone might be signaling that he’s not thrilled with his new surroundings.

A cryptic tweet from Stone, featuring two peace sign emojis, has fans speculating about his future. The tweet has sparked rumors that Stone could be ready to move on from Cincinnati.

The timing of the post adds intrigue. Cincinnati is struggling with a 4-7 record, and Stone’s numbers this season, while respectable (58 tackles, 1 interception), haven’t matched the impact he had in Baltimore.

The Bengals signed Stone to pair him with young safety Daxton Hill. However, the team’s defensive struggles have left fans and players frustrated. Could Stone’s tweet signal dissatisfaction with his role or the team’s trajectory? It’s not unheard of for players to use social media to drop hints about their future.

Stone was a homegrown success story, and seeing him thrive in purple and black felt like watching one of their own make it big. But now, in orange stripes, he’s just another rival. If Stone truly wants out of Cincinnati, it raises one big question: did the grass look greener, or did Baltimore just make it seem that way?

More Ravens news and analysis